Woodward rests World Cup trio

England coach Sir Clive Woodward has decided to rest three World Cup-winning stars for next month's tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Full-back Jason Robinson, centre Will Greenwood and lock Ben Kay have all been given the summer off.

England face the All Blacks in Dunedin and Auckland on June 12 and 19, followed by a June 26 World Cup final rematch against Australia at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Woodward will take 17 of the victorious World Cup with him, with six players - Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Jason Leonard, Kyran Bracken, Paul Grayson and Dorian West - having now retired from Test rugby, and four more - Jonny Wilkinson, Iain Balshaw, Phil Vickery and Lewis Moody - unavailable through injuries.

Ellis celebrated his 22nd birthday on Monday, while 21-year-old Stevens, Titterrell (23) and Lipman (24) also have early chances to impress on the long road towards World Cup 2007.

Elsewhere, in-form Wasps wing Tom Voyce is called up almost three years after his solitary previous England appearance, and Bath prop David Flatman ends two years in Test exile after an outstanding season for the English Premiership finalists.

With World Cup hero Wilkinson sidelined, Sale Sharks' Charlie Hodgson and Bath's Olly Barkley will contest the number 10 jersey.

Despite a list of high-profile absentees, Woodward is delighted with the squad chosen to defend England's 12-Test unbeaten record against Tri-Nations opposition.

"This is an outstanding team for the tour, and will be a tremendous opportunity for players such as Hodgson, (James) Simpson-Daniel, Christophers, Lipman, Stevens and Ellis to
step up to the mark," he said.

"I would also like to welcome back into the squad players such as Tom Voyce and Fraser Waters. I'm confident they will all grasp this huge opportunity.

"I've decided to rest Robinson, Kay and Greenwood at the moment, and I look forward to the prospect of them returning to the squad later."